Strong Pacific Community in Anchorage Alaska remain vigilant after Major Earthquake

A tow truck holds a car that was pulled from on an off-ramp that collapsed during a morning earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The driver was not injured attempting to exit Minnesota Drive at International Airport Road. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.8 rocked buildings and buckled roads Friday morning in Anchorage, prompting people to run from their offices or seek shelter under office desks, while a tsunami warning had some seeking higher ground. (AP Photo/Mike Dinneen)

A severe 7.0 earthquake has struck Alaska, near it’s biggest city Anchorage.

The quake struck at 8.30 am local time today.

A series of aftershocks have been recorded and are still counting.

The quake has caused severe damage including broken highways and landslides. A tsunami warning was also issued.

Another Samoan resident Marie Christina Tauauvea describes her fear when the earthquake hit as it bought back vivid memories of the 2009 Samoa earthquake which triggered that tsunami.

“The earthquakes today were back to back of course, the aftershock was just another earthquake to me.

“I was scared because this earthquake was way stronger than the one that happened back in 2009 in Samoa when I was living there a decade ago.”

Alaskans Pacific Islanders make up about 2 percent of the overall population. The city of Anchorage alone has a population of 300,000 residents where many Pacific Islanders live according to 2017 statistics.

Polynesian Flag Day Alaska: Photo Hawkes Mission

This Pacific population had spiked around 2010 due to the economic benefits in Alaska particularly the thriving fishing industry.

As of last year, the fishing industry in Alaska employs over 60,000 workers.

Seafood is by far Alaska’s top export with more than 4 billion pounds going to 105 countries in 2016, valued at over $3 billion.

Fishing industries provides major source of income for many Pacific Islanders in Alaska

In addition, Alaska’s close proximity to places like Hawaii and California make it attractive place for Pacific Islanders to migrate to.

In 2014, Samoan was the fourth spoken language in Anchorage School District behind English, Spanish and Hmong.

The cultural presence in Anchorage runs strong with Pacific Community initiatives in full swing and the popular Polynesian Flag Dag running every year.